New team boss at McLaren as Andreas Seidl appointed as MD

McLaren have hired Andreas Seidl to be the new managing director of their F1 team.

Bolstering their management team, McLaren have appointed Andreas Seidl as their new Managing Director. The German won’t be starting with immediate effect, however, as he won’t be joining until later this season.

Seidl is best known for leading the very successful Porsche LMP1 factory team in the World Endurance Championship but, with Porsche departing the series, Seidl has elected to not go with Porsche into Formula E but instead look for a return to Formula 1.

Seidl previously worked in F1 with BMW, working with them on their engine partnership with Williams between 2000 & 2005 before becoming Head of Track Operations with BMW Sauber from 2006 to 2009.

According to McLaren, Seidl’s appointment comes as the ‘latest step in the team’s F1 performance recovery plan and restructure, and part of McLaren Racing’s long-term strategy to return to F1 success.’

Following on from the departure of racing director Eric Boullier last year, McLaren have since appointed Gil De Ferran as Sporting Director and now Andreas Seidl as Managing Director, effectively nullifying the racing director position. Both men will report directly to McLaren CEO Zak Brown.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, commented:

“We are delighted that Andreas is joining McLaren to lead our F1 technical and operational programme. This is a significant appointment for us on two fronts.

“First, it is another important step in our F1 performance recovery plan and long-term commitment to F1. Second, concentrated senior leadership on our F1 programme is an integral part of the long-term strategy of McLaren Racing to expand into other forms of global motorsport over time.

“Andreas is a highly capable leader with a track record of success in everything he has been involved with, and I look forward to working with him.”

Andreas Seidl said:

“This is an enormous privilege and challenge, which I am ready for and committed to. To have an opportunity to contribute to the McLaren legacy is extremely special and inspiring.

“McLaren has the vision, leadership and experience but, most importantly, the people to return to the front, and that will be my absolute focus and mission. I can’t wait to join the team and begin working with my colleagues at McLaren, our partners at Renault and, of course, Carlos and Lando.”

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